Joe Barton on his management career

Joey Barton officially retired from playing football in the summer but has revealed he’d been planning to enter management for years.

Fleetwood Town manager Joey Barton discussed quitting football and the first steps he took towards management.

“For me it has been a case of years of thinking, planning and anticipating what you were going to do coming to fruition,” he told Sky Sports.

“And then all those best-laid plans going right out the window!

“Everything you think you’ll face you do and then more, but it has been really enjoyable and every day is a real learning experience.

“I don’t think anything can ever prepare you for it. It’s a role that varies from club to club and you can have all manner of things going on in any given day.

“You really have to think about the ramifications of any decision or any interaction.”

It has been a good start to life as a manager for Barton. Fleetwood Town are 12th in the League One table. And the for the rookie manager, it’s been a learning curve as their form has tailed off in the last few weeks.

“Getting the job was a case of timing and opportunity,” Barton said. “Fleetwood were changing managers and wanted to speak with me, and I couldn’t refuse that opportunity.

“It has been a bit of a baptism of fire because I didn’t really know much about the level and there were a lot of grounds I hadn’t visited before this season.

“But it’s the perfect breeding ground for me and a place where I know I can fulfill my potential.

“It’s enough out of the spotlight to be able to make mistakes and learn from them, while also not getting too much praise when you do really get it right.”

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